Interconnect Device for Detecting Whether a Vehicle On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Data Port Includes Circuitry Which Prevents Back Feeding of Power through the OBD Data Port

ABSTRACT

An interconnect device is disclosed for detecting whether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes a blocking diode or equivalent, that prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port. If a diode is detected, the interconnect device alerts the user that the power cannot be back fed through the OBD II port connector. In such a condition, an alternate means is used to preserve the data mentioned above. Specifically, an alternative power supply can be connected directly to the battery cables that will be disconnected from the battery, for example, by way of battery clamps. In this way the alternative power supply is used to preserve the data until a new battery is reconnected to the vehicle battery cables. If a diode is not detected by the interconnect device, the interconnect device displays this fact to the user. The interconnect device includes circuitry for detecting and displaying whether a diode is connected in series with a power pin of the OBD II port connector. In addition, the interconnect device includes an OBD II port connector on one end connected by way of a cable to a connector, such as a cigarette lighter connector or hardwired directly to an alternate power supply.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/015,337 by Patrick J. Clarke et al., filed on Feb. 4, 2016, andentitled “Interconnect Device for Detecting Whether a Vehicle On-BoardDiagnostics (OBD) Data Port Includes Circuitry Which Prevents BackFeeding of Power through the OBD Data Port,” and U.S. Pat. No.9,281,684, issued Mar. 8, 2016, application Ser. No. 13/799,506 byPatrick J. Clarke et al., filed on Mar. 13, 2013, and entitled“Interconnect Device for Detecting Whether a Vehicle On-BoardDiagnostics (OBD) Data Port Includes Circuitry Which Prevents BackFeeding of Power through the OBD Data Port.” U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/015,337 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,281,684 are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an interconnect device for detectingwhether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includescircuitry or other means that prevents back feeding of power through theOBD data port.

2. Description of the Prior Art

An on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port is mandated by the US governmentto be supplied on every car sold in the US since 1996. Other countrieshave similar standards. For example Europe has EOBD and EOBD2 standardswhile Japan has a JOBD standard. In the US, the OBD and the OBD dataport was originally intended by the Environmental Protection Agency andthe California Air Resources Board (CARB) to provide a convenient way tomonitor whether the vehicle was running efficiently and cleanly.

The OBD II standard in the US requires that an OBD II data port belocated within two feet of the steering wheel. The data port isspecified as a 16 pin connector. Since 2008, the signals associated witheach of the 16 pins are standardized.

During normal operation, the OBD diagnostic system monitor's variousParameter ID codes (PID). These PID codes relate to the status of thevehicle emissions. These PID codes can be read by connecting an OBDdiagnostic tool to the OBD II data port to allow reporting of several ofthe vehicle systems. In addition to the PID codes mentioned above,various manufacturers include their own PIDs for monitoring otheraspects of the vehicle performance that do not directly relate toemissions, for example, the transmission and tire pressure monitoringsystems.

The OBD II connectors are also known to be used to preserve certain datathat is stored on board the vehicle. This data includes consumerpreference data, such as preferred mirror and seat positions, radiostations, GPS preference data and the vehicle clock. Such data isnormally lost when the battery is disconnected from the vehicle,creating an inconvenience for the consumer to reprogram the data. Inextreme cases, a loss of certain engine data may prevent the vehiclefrom being restarted.

Various vehicle memory saver devices are known which can supply power tothe vehicle on-board computer systems to prevent data loss when thevehicle battery is disconnected. One such device is available fromSchumacher Electric Company. The device includes an OBD II connectorconnected by a cable to a conventional cigarette lighter connector. TheOBD II connector is connected to the OBD II data port of the vehicle inwhich the battery will be disconnected and the cigarette lighterconnector is connected to another vehicle or alternate power source.

Unfortunately, some vehicle OBD II data ports include a circuitry orother means in series with the battery connection that prevents backfeeding of DC power to the vehicle on-board computer systems. Sincethere is no convenient way of detecting whether the OBD II includes suchcircuitry or other means, known devices for back feeding power to thevehicle by way of the OBD II connector are unreliable. If a conventionaldevice for back feeding power to through the OBD II port connector, thepower will be blocked by the diode and the data mentioned above will belost. The user will have no way of knowing this before the battery isdisconnected. Thus, there is a need for detecting whether a vehicle OBDII connector includes such circuitry or other means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention relates to an interconnect device fordetecting whether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data portincludes circuitry or other means, which acts like a blocking diode orequivalent (hereinafter “diode” or “blocking diode”) that prevents backfeeding of power through the OBD data port. If a diode is detected, theinterconnect device alerts the user that the power cannot be back fedthrough the OBD II port connector. In such a condition, an alternatemeans is used to preserve the data mentioned above. Specifically, analternative power supply can be connected directly to the battery cablesthat will be disconnected from the battery, for example, by way ofbattery clamps. In this way the alternative power supply is used topreserve the data until a new battery is reconnected to the vehiclebattery cables. If a diode is not detected by the interconnect device,the interconnect device displays this fact to the user. The interconnectdevice includes circuitry for detecting and displaying whether a diodeis connected in series with a power pin of the OBD II port connector. Inaddition, the interconnect device includes an OBD II port connector onone end connected by way of a cable to a connector, such as a cigarettelighter connector or hardwired directly to an alternate power supply.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readilyunderstood with reference to the following specification and attacheddrawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the interconnect device inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the housing, illustrating an exemplarydisplay.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the interconnect device in accordancewith the present invention connected to an OBD II port connector withouta series diode and connected on the other end to an alternative powersupply, for example, by way of a cigarette lighter connector.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but shown connected to an OBD II portconnector with a series diode.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment ofthe interconnect device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a software flow chart for the interconnect device inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an interconnect device for detectingwhether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes a diodethat prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port. If adiode is detected, the interconnect device alerts the user that thepower cannot be back fed through the OBD II port connector. In such acondition, an alternate means is used to preserve the data mentionedabove. Specifically, an alternative power supply can be connecteddirectly to the battery cables that will be disconnected from thebattery, for example, by way of battery clamps. In this way thealternative power supply is used to preserve the data until a newbattery is reconnected to the vehicle battery cables. If a diode is notdetected by the interconnect device, the interconnect device displaysthis fact to the user. The interconnect device includes circuitry fordetecting and displaying whether a diode is connected in series with apower pin of the OBD II port connector. In addition, the interconnectdevice includes an OBD II port connector on one end connected by way ofa cable to a connector, such as a cigarette lighter connector orhardwired directly to an alternate power supply.

The interconnect device in accordance with the present inventionprovides the following attributes:

-   -   A way of indicating to the user that all connections between the        interconnect device and the vehicle under service and the        alternate power source are sound.    -   Measures the voltage of the alternate power source to be sure it        is at or above required nominal input levels to serve as a        temporary replacement for the vehicles battery before allowing        connection through the OBD port.    -   Detect whether an OBD II port connector includes a diode        connected in series to the power pin and indicate visually to        the user that the vehicle data will not be preserved using a        device connected to the OBD II data port connector if the diode        is present.    -   Provide the user a positive visual indication that it is OK to        service and/or remove the vehicle battery without the possible        loss of vehicle data by way of an alternate power supply        connected to the OBD II port connector.

Referring to FIG. 1, the interconnect device in accordance with thepresent invention, generally identified with the reference numeral 20.Includes a housing 22 for housing a detection and LED illuminationcircuit 24 (FIG. 5), an OBD II port connector 26 (FIG. 1), a first cable28 interconnecting the OBD II port connector 26 to the detection and LEDillumination circuit 24 (FIG. 5). In one exemplary embodiment, theinterconnect device 20 includes a cigarette lighter connector 30connected to the detection and LED illumination circuit 24 (FIG. 5) byway of a second cable 32. In alternate embodiments, the cigarettelighter connector 30 is eliminated and the cable 32 is either hard wiredto a portable power supply (not shown) or connected to a different typeof connector, such as an alligator clip (not shown).

An exploded view of the housing 22 illustrating exemplary LEDs 34, 36,38 and 40. The LEDs 34, 36, 38 and 40 illustrate an exemplaryembodiment. Other visual indication devices, such as a display, or auralindication devices are considered to be within the broad scope of theinvention. Each LED 34, 36, 38 and 40 provides the user with differentinformation with respect to the issue of whether a diode is connected inseries with the power pin of the OBD II port connector 26 which willprevent back feeding of power through the OBD II port connector 26.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a first LED 34, forexample, a green LED is used to indicate that a diode is not connectedto the OBD II port connector 26. When this LED 34 is illuminated, itindicates that the power can be back fed through the OBD II portconnector 26 to preserve data. A second LED 36, for example, a red LEDis used to indicate that a diode is connected to the power pin of theOBD II port connector 26. When the LED 36 is illuminated, power cannotbe back fed through the OBD II connector 26. In this situation, analternate power source is recommended to be connected to the batterycables, connected to the battery, before the battery cables aredisconnected from the vehicle battery. In alternate embodiments of theinvention, one or both of the LEDs 34, 36 may be provided without theLEDs 38

The LEDs 38 and 40, for example yellow LEDs, are optional and indicatesound connections of the OBD II port connector 26 to the mating OBD IIport connector (not shown) in the vehicle. The LED 40 may be used toindicate a connection between the cigarette lighter connector 30 and analternate power supply from a different vehicle. In embodiments wherethe cable 32 is hard wired to a portable power supply (not shown), theLED 40 is omitted.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate applications of the interconnect device 20 inaccordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an applicationof the interconnect device 20 connected between a vehicle OBD II portconnector 42 and an alternate power supply 44. In both applications, theOBD II port connector 26 is connected to three pins on the vehicle OBDII port connector. These pins are as follows:

-   -   PIN 4: Signal GND    -   PIN 5: Chassis GND    -   PIN 16: Battery Power

Both applications also represent the vehicle electrical system as aso-called Norton equivalent circuit; namely, a power source 46 and aparallel resistor 48. FIG. 3 illustrates a direct connection between thepower pin 16 of the OBD II port connector 26 and the vehicle electricalsystem. In one embodiment of the invention, the yellow LED 38 (FIG. 2)will illuminate. In such an application, the interconnect device 20 willilluminate the green LED 34, indicating that the vehicle electricalsystem can be back fed through the vehicle OBD II port connector if thealternate power source 44 is connected. If so, the yellow LED 40 willilluminate. The vehicle power supply 46 can then be safely disconnected.

FIG. 4 illustrates an application where a blocking diode representscircuitry (or other means) 50 is connected in series with the power pin16 of the vehicle OBD II port connector. In this situation, the blockingdiode 50 prevents power from being back fed to the vehicle electricalsystem through the vehicle OBD II connector. In this situation, the redLED 36 (FIG. 2) will illuminate indicating that the vehicle OBD II portconnector has a blocking diode serially connected to its power pin. Theyellow LEDs 38 and 40 may also be lit. The blocking diode 50 preventsthe vehicle electrical system from being back fed through the vehicleOBD II port connector. As mentioned above, in such a situation, analternate power supply needs to be connected to the battery cables ofthe battery to be disconnected before disconnecting the vehicle battery.

An exemplary circuit 24 is illustrated in FIG. 5. As mentioned above,the circuit 24 is configured to do the following:

-   -   Verify the connection s between the OBD II port connector 26        connected to the interconnect device 20 and the vehicle OBD II        port connector.    -   Measures the voltage of the alternate power source to be sure it        is at or above required nominal input levels to serve as a        temporary replacement for the vehicles battery before allowing        connection through the OBD port.    -   Verify the connection between the cigarette lighter connector 30        connected to the interconnect device 20 and an alternate power        supply.    -   Detect whether the vehicle OBD II port connector includes a        blocking diode serially connected to its power pin.    -   Illuminate LEDs representative of the above.

At the heart of the detection circuit 24 is a microcontroller U1, forexample a Model No. STM8S103F2P6TR from STMicroelectronics. Thedetection circuit 24 includes 5 external pin connections. The pins W1and W3 are connected to the alternate power supply 44 (FIGS. 3 and 4) byway of the cable 32, either directly or by way of the cigarette lighterconnector 30. The pins W2, W5 and W4 of the detection circuit 24 areconnected to the OBD II port connector 26 by way of the cable 28.Specifically, the PIN W2 of the detection circuit 24 is connected to thebattery power PIN 16. PIN W4 of the detection circuit 24 is connected toPIN 5 of the OBD II port connector 26, chassis ground. PIN W5 of thedetection circuit 24 is connected to signal ground, PIN 4 of the OBD IIport connector 26.

The LEDs 34, 36, 38 and 40 are connected to the microcontroller U1.Specifically, the yellow LED 40, which represents a connection to analternate power supply 44 (FIGS. 3 and 4), is connected to the PIN W1 ofthe detection circuit 24 and to port PB4 (PIN 12) of the microcontrollerU1 by way of a pair of voltage divider resistors R23 and R31. When aconnection is made to the alternate power source 44, the yellow LED 40is turned on by the microcontroller U1 if the voltage available at thealternate power source 44 is greater than a predetermined value, forexample, >6 volts. The LEDs 34, 36 and 38 are connected between a 5 voltDC supply and ports PC4, PC6 and PC7 (PINS 14, 16 and 17) by way ofcurrent limiting resistors R18, R21 and R17 respectively. If the voltageat the OBD II port 26 sensed by the microcontroller U1 is >1.0 volts, agood connection will be indicated even if there is a diode connected tothe power pin of the vehicle OBD II port connector since the vehicleelectrical system voltage will appear at the cathode of the diode 50 ifthere is a good connection between the OBD II port connector 26 and thevehicle OBD II port connector.

As mentioned above, PIN W1 of the detection circuit 24 is connected tothe alternate power supply 44. The voltage of the alternate power sourceis sensed by Port PD2 (PIN 19) of the microcontroller U1 by way of atransistor Q3 and a resistor R7. A resistor R1 1 and a pair of diodes D3and D5 connected between a 5 volt supply and ground provide over andunder voltage for the input to PIN 19. In order to avoid draining thealternate power source 44, the sensing of the alternate power source 44is enabled when needed. More specifically, the transistor Q3 is underthe control of a transistor Q4, which is driven by Port PC5 (PIN 15) ofthe microcontroller U1. The emitter of the transistor Q4 is connected toa top rail by way of a pair of resistors R6 and R10. The base of thetransistor Q4 is connected to PIN 15 by way of a resistor R13. As such,the microcontroller U1 is able to control the switching of thetransistor Q4, which in turn, controls the switching of the transistorQ3 in order to selectively turn off voltage sensing of the alternatepower supply 44 to limit the battery drain.

The regulator U3, for example, a Model AZ30463 by BCD SemiconductorLtd., together with the resistors R2, R3, R5 and R8, an inductor L1, adiode D1 and a pair of capacitors C1 and C2, form a switchable powersupply and more specifically a boost converter for converting a 12 voltsignal from the alternate power supply 44 and converting it to a 16 voltpulse.

The 16 volt pulse is applied to the vehicle electrical system 44 by wayof a transistor Q2 and a diode D2. The transistor Q2 is under thecontrol of a transistor Q7. A pair of resistors R1 and R12 is coupledbetween the transistors Q1 and Q7. The transistor Q7, in turn, is drivenby Port PA3 (PIN10) of the microcontroller U1.

The PIN W2 is connected to the OBD II power pin and thus the vehicleelectrical system. The voltage of the vehicle electrical system is readby Port PD6 (PIN 3) via a pair of resistors R26 and R27 and a pair ofdiodes D12 and D13 provide over and under voltage protection, asdiscussed above. A diode D2 prevents transistor Q2 from being exposed toexcessive reverse biasing voltages. The voltage of the 16 volt pulsefrom the switchable power supply is measured by the microcontroller U1at Port PD5 (PIN 2).

In order to test for the diode connected to the PWR pin of the vehicleOBD II port connector 26, a diode detection circuit is actuated. Thediode detection circuit includes the switchable power supply and thedetection of the voltage of the 16 volt pulse, generated by theswitchable power supply and the voltage of the PWR pin of the OBD IIport connector 26. The voltage of the pulse is measured, as discussedabove. The voltage available at the PWR PIN of the OBD II port connector26 is also measured, as discussed above. In order to determine if ablocking diode or equivalent is connected to the power pin of thevehicle OBD II port connector, transistor Q2 is activated by activatingQ7, connecting the switchable power supply to the vehicle OBD II portconnector 26. If the switchable power supply voltage falls below 15Volts, then it is determined that current is flowing between theswitchable power supply and the vehicle's electrical system, meaningthat the vehicle's electrical system has no diode or similar electronicspreventing power from being supplied by a device attached to thevehicle's OBD II port. If the switchable power supply voltage remainsabove 15 Volts, after a reasonable period of time, then it is determinedthat the vehicle's electrical system contains a blocking device, such asa diode, which prevents the vehicle's electrical system from sourcingpower through the vehicle's OBD II port. After the determination, thediode detection circuit may be turned off by turning off the serialtransistor Q3.

A relay RLY is used to connect the alternate power supply 44, connectedto PIN W1 of the detection circuit 24 to the vehicle electrical system50. PIN W2 of the detection circuit 24, under the conditions discussedbelow. The relay RLY is under the control of Port PR4 (PIN1) of themicrocontroller U1. Specifically, the relay RLY is connected to PIN 1 ofthe microcontroller U1 by way of a transistor Q5, a diode D6 and a pairof resistors R14 and R19.

If the voltage of the alternate power source 44 is sufficient, forexample >6 volts, and the OBD II port connector 26 is plugged into thevehicle OBD II port connector and the device has determined that thevehicle's electrical system is capable of sourcing power through the OBDII port as described above, the relay RLY is energized and a relaycontact RLY 1 connects PIN W1 to W2 of the detection circuit 22, therebyconnecting the alternate power source 44 to the vehicle electricalsystem 42. At this point the vehicle battery may be safely removed andreplaced or reconnected. At a later time after which, the relay RLY isdeactivated by simply disconnecting the cigarette lighter connector 32from the other vehicle or disconnecting the OBD II port connector 26from the vehicle OBD II connector.

The circuitry consisting of D15 and D16, the Zener diode U2, theresistors R15, R22, R28-R30 and the capacitors C6-C8 relate to the powersupply and the reset for the microcontroller U1 and are connected topins 7-10.

An exemplary software flow chart is illustrated in FIG. 6. Initially,the interconnection device 20 is connected on one end to an alternatepower supply 44, either directly or by way of the cigarette lighterconnector 32 and on the other end the OBD II port connector 26 isconnected to the vehicle OBD II port connector 26. Once the device 20 isconnected, all of the LEDs 34, 36, 38 and 40 are turned off. In step 60.In addition, voltage detection is commenced by the microcontroller U1and the switched mode power supply is turned on by way of the transistorQ3. In step 62, the alternate power source 44 voltage is measured by wayof PIN 12 of the microcontroller U1. The system then compares thevoltage with a reference voltage, for example, 6 volts, to determine ifthe voltage of the alternate power source 44 is greater than thereference voltage in step 64. If not, the red LED D14 is illuminated instep 66 indicating no connection. If the voltage of the alternatevoltage source is greater than the reference voltage, the yellow LED D6is illuminated in step 68. Next in step 70, the system measures thevoltage at the OBD II port connector 26 in step 70. If a voltage ismeasured, for example, a voltage >1 volt, a good connection is indicatedbetween the OBD II port connector 26 and the vehicle and the OBD II portconnector and the yellow LED D7 is illuminated. In step 72, the systemchecks that there is a good connection between the OBD II port connector26 and the vehicle OBD II port connector and whether the alternatesource 44 voltage is >than a reference value. If so, the yellow LED D7is illuminated in step 74, indicating that the interconnection device 20has been successfully connected between the alternate power source 44and the vehicle OBD II port connector.

Next, in step 76, the diode detection circuit is activated. After apredetermined wait period, the transistor Q2 is turned on so that thevoltage across the diode D2 can be read by the microcontroller U1 todetermine if current is flowing through the diode D2

In step 78, the voltage at the power pin of the OBD II port connector 26is measured. As mentioned above, the switched mode power supplygenerates a 16 volt pulse. That 16 volt pulse is dropped across thecapacitor C1. If the vehicle OBD II port connector has a blocking diodeor equivalent the diode D2 will not conduct and will therefore be off.With the diode D2 off, the OBD II port voltage read by PIN 2 of themicrocontroller U1 will be the vehicle electrical system voltage of 12volts. If the vehicle OBD II port connector does not contain a blockingdiode, the diode D2 will conduct. With the diode D2 conducting, 16 voltsminus the drop across the diode will be sensed by the microcontrollerU1. Thus, in step 80, the system checks whether the OBD port voltageis >15 volts. If so, the system assumes that the vehicle OBD II portconnector does not have a blocking diode or equivalent. If the vehicleOBD II port connector does not contain a blocking diode and a goodconnection between the vehicle OBD II port connector and the OBD II portconnector 26 and the voltage of the alternate power supply 44 is greaterthan a predetermined value, the green LED D9 is turned on in step 82 andthe relay RLY is activated in step 84 connecting the alternate powersupply to the vehicle OBD 11 port connector and thus the vehicleelectrical system. The green LED D9 indicates that it is safe todisconnect the vehicle battery since the alternate power supply willmaintain all of the vehicle data in the vehicle OBD system. The relayRLY will remain energized until the OBD II connector 26 is disconnectedfrom the vehicle OBD 11 connector.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to beunderstood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by a Letters Patent of theUnited States is:
 1. An interconnect device for detecting an operatingcondition of a vehicle electrical system through an on-board diagnostics(“OBD”) data port, the interconnect device comprising: a firstelectrical connector to electrically couple with the vehicle electricalsystem via a vehicle OBD port connector; a second electrical connectorto electrically couple with an alternate power supply; a voltagedetection circuit electrically coupled to said electrical connector, thevoltage detection circuit to detect a voltage condition of said startingbattery; a blocking detection circuit electrically coupled to said firstelectrical connector, the blocking detection circuit to detect whetherthe vehicle electrical system includes blocking circuitry that preventsback feeding of power through the vehicle OBD port connector; anindicating device to indicate the voltage condition of said startingbattery and whether the vehicle electrical system includes blockingcircuitry; and control circuitry having a switch, the control circuitrybeing electrically coupled to said first electrical connector and saidsecond electrical connector, wherein the control circuitry is configuredto control the switch to supply power from said first electricalconnector to said second electrical connector if said blocking detectioncircuit detects that the vehicle electrical system does not contain saidblocking circuitry.
 2. The interconnect device as recited in claim 1,wherein said blocking detection circuit detects whether a diode isconnected in series with a power pin of said vehicle OBD port connector.3. The interconnect device as recited in claim 1, wherein said secondelectrical connector is a cigarette lighter connector.
 4. Theinterconnect device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a boostconverter to convert power from said first electrical connector from afirst voltage to a second voltage before supplying said power to saidsecond electrical connector.
 5. An interconnect device for detecting anoperating condition of a vehicle electrical system through an on-boarddiagnostics (“OBD”) data port, the interconnect device comprising: anelectrical connector to electrically couple with the vehicle electricalsystem having a starting battery via a vehicle OBD port connector; avoltage detection circuit electrically coupled to said electricalconnector, the voltage detection circuit to detect a voltage conditionof said starting battery; an indicating device to indicate the voltagecondition of said starting battery; and a microcontroller operativelyconnected to said voltage detection circuit and configured toselectively activate said indicating device based at least in part onsaid voltage detection circuit.
 6. The interconnect device as recited inclaim 5, wherein the indicating device provides a first indication toindicate a first voltage condition.
 7. The interconnect device asrecited in claim 6, wherein the indicating device provides a secondindication to indicate a second voltage condition.
 8. The interconnectdevice as recited in claim 7, wherein the first voltage condition occurswhen a voltage of said starting battery is equal to at least a firstpredetermined voltage.
 9. The interconnect device as recited in claim 8,wherein the second voltage condition occurs when a voltage of saidstarting battery is equal to at least a second predetermined voltage.10. The interconnect device as recited in claim 5, wherein the OBD dataport employs a standard interface selected from the group consisting of:(1) European On Board Diagnostics (EOBD); (2) EOBD II; (3) Japanese OnBoard Diagnostics (JOBD); (4) United States On Board Diagnostics; and(5) United States On Board Diagnostics II.
 11. The interconnect deviceas recited in claim 5 further comprising a blocking detection circuitelectrically coupled to said electrical connector, the blockingdetection circuit to detect whether the vehicle electrical systemincludes blocking circuitry that prevents back feeding of power throughthe vehicle OBD port connector.
 12. The interconnect device as recitedin claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is coupled to said blockingdetection circuit, the control circuitry configured to supply power froman alternate power supply to said electrical connector if said blockingdetection circuit detects that the vehicle electrical system does notcontain said blocking circuitry.
 13. The interconnect device as recitedin claim 11, wherein said blocking detection circuit detects whether adiode is connected in series with a power pin of said vehicle OBD portconnector.
 14. The interconnect device as recited in claim 5, furthercomprising a boost converter to convert said power supplied by thealternate power supply from a first voltage to a second voltage.
 15. Theinterconnect device as recited in claim 14, wherein the first voltage is12 volts and the second voltage is a 16 volt pulse.
 16. The interconnectdevice as recited in claim 5, further comprising an OBD connectioncircuit to determine whether said electrical connector is electricallycoupled to said vehicle OBD port connector.
 17. The interconnect deviceas recited in claim 16, wherein said OBD connection circuit determineswhether said electrical connector is coupled to said vehicle OBD portconnector based on a voltage measured at said electrical connector viasaid voltage detection circuit after the electrical connector is coupledto said vehicle OBD port connector.
 18. The interconnect device asrecited in claim 17, wherein said connection between said electricalconnector and said vehicle OBD port connector is assumed if the voltagemeasured at the electrical connector is greater than a predeterminedvoltage.
 19. The interconnect device as recited in claim 5, wherein saidindicating device comprises (1) a display or (2) one or more lightemitting diodes (LEDs).
 20. The interconnect device as recited in claim19, wherein said indicating device is configured to display at thevoltage of said starting battery.
 21. A method for monitoring acondition of a vehicle battery in a vehicle, the method comprising thesteps: measuring, via a control circuit operatively coupled with aprocessor, a voltage of the vehicle battery via an on-board diagnostics(“OBD”) data port of the vehicle; determining, via the processor,whether said voltage is greater that a first predetermined voltage;providing, via an indicating device, a first indication if said voltageis not greater that the first predetermined voltage; determining, viathe processor, whether said voltage is greater that a secondpredetermined voltage; and providing, via the indicating device, asecond indication if said voltage is not greater that the secondpredetermined voltage.
 22. The method as recited in claim 21, whereinthe OBD data port employs a standard interface selected from the groupconsisting of: (1) European On Board Diagnostics (EOBD); (2) EOBD II;(3) Japanese On Board Diagnostics (JOBD); (4) United States On BoardDiagnostics; and (5) United States On Board Diagnostics II.